Category Archives: Vatican

Editor’s note: After his election to the papacy this week, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina chose Pope Francis as his name. It’s an homage to Saint Francis of Assisi, the 13th century Catholic friar and preacher who founded the beggar-monk movement through his Franciscan order. He emphasized a life of asceticism and humility, and … Continue reading →

Magdi Allam, former vicedirector of Corriere della Sera and European MP since 2009, a well-known Egyptian-born Italian citizen baptized into the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI after being raised in a Muslim family, announced his journey with Catholicism had ended with the resignation of the pope who baptized him. “The factor more than any … Continue reading →

He is being hailed with pride and wonder as the “first Latino pope,” a native Spanish speaker born and raised in the South American nation of Argentina. But for some Latinos in the United States, there’s a catch: Pope Francis’ parents were born in Italy. Such recent European heritage is reviving debate in the United … Continue reading →

In 2011, Italian director Nanni Moretti made a movie, “Habemus Papam” (“We Have a Pope”), about a cardinal elected a most reluctant pope starring 85-year-old French actor Michel Piccoli as the pope. The movie had a good succes in Italy and at 2011 Cannes Film Festival, and Piccoli won the David di Donatello Award. But, when … Continue reading →

The famous Italian journalist Bruno Vespa, you know, is a Juventus fan. But last night, during the episode of his show “Porta a Porta” dedicated to the new pope, he said he’s not alone. In fact, it seems that Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not just a big soccer fan, and specifically a “cuervo”, meaning a … Continue reading →

The New Yorker (A.Stille) – While the new Pope, Francis, has made a point of emphasizing simplicity—rather than wearing the usual gold ring, he has insisted on one made of silver—today he gave way to Vatican tradition and formally assumed his office following most (but not all) of the elaborate ceremonial script worked out in … Continue reading →

With less silk, lace and gold than many of his predecessors displayed, Pope Francis on Tuesday was inaugurated at a Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Square during which he appealed to world leaders to be protectors of the poor and the environmen. The Fisherman’s ring, which Pope Francis will now wear. The name and image … Continue reading →